Flexography is once known as Aniline printing in early 1890 and the process was widely used in food packaging at that time.
But, FDA detects that the dye inks as being toxic and unsuitable for food in the 1940s. After that, a revolutionary change is occur in the printing industry called flexography, in 1951.
Today flexography is one of the rapidly growing printing processes. And this process is most frequently used to print packets. There are two types of flexography printing. The first one is a wide web and the second is narrow web printing.
Wide web flexo printing is known for high volumes and fast printing speeds to manufacture impressively sized runs – but that volume tends to be a barrier for smaller manufacturers.
As opposed to narrow web flexo printing is a greater solution for small print runs. Both have their uses, but a narrow web is mainly convenient for companies that want labels and other items printed in small volumes.
NARROW WEB PRINTING
Roughly, narrow web printing is web with a width of 16” or less and is a rotary process with various in-line converting processes.
It might be more convenient to review some of the key things that set narrow web flexo printing apart from wide web flexo printing, including:
Printing width: The clearest contrast, narrow webs work with webs usually ranging between 16” and 10” wide.
UV-curable ink: Works effectively with narrow web flexo printing and offers environmental welfare by meeting solvent emissions standards.
Ink density: Narrow web flexo printing utilizes ink viscosities around 34 sec, #3 Zahn. On the other side, wide web flexo printing uses somewhere around 25 sec, #2 Zahn. (A Zahn cup is a viscosity measurement device.)
Slower-drying inks: Water-based inks utilize in narrow flexo applications are slower drying.
Less waste: Narrow web flexo printing generates minimum waste per printing operation compared to other processes.
Lower costs related to warehousing: This printing process can take less space and therefore the investment is less on warehouse storage.
Uses of Narrow Web Flexo Printing
There are many uses for narrow web printing. You can print flexible packaging, labels, and poly bags. You can also meet other significant necessities for your products. Let’s look at some of the points: –
MEDIUM PRINTING RUNS
For such applications, you would require to order an important amount to explain the printing doing a run for your business. The narrow web label printing is not like that. The Printers offering narrow web as an alternative will often be happy to take your order even if you only require a relatively small amount printed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
Narrow web flexo printing is great for reducing organic chemical emissions, which can be a vital thought when setting up a pressroom. Plus, narrow web flexo printing operates noble with UV curable inks. Which dry a lot faster than other inks and decreases the requirement for expensive drying equipment.
Conclusion
The narrow web flexo printing is the most sustainable printing method at present. It is a great way to step forward into the world of narrow web flexo printing.
